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DeFi Retreat APAC

March 7-8, 2024
Happo-en Gardens, Tokyo, Japan
The gathering takes place in English.
The DeFi Retreats are a series of prominent international gatherings fostering critical collaboration between the Public and Private Sector in Blockchain Powered Finance.
Gain intimate and exclusive access to all Speakers and Guests under a unique All-Inclusive Experience.

About DeFi Retreat

DeFi Retreats redefine the essence of intimate gatherings, curating an exquisite experience for a limited audience of only 150 participants.

Top Regulators and Executives, including Managing Directors, VPs, CxOs from fintechs, venture capitalists, representatives from financial organizations, and legal luminaries spanning APAC, US, and Europe, are actively delving into business opportunities, establishing strategic partnerships, and dissecting solutions to the most complex Technology and Regulatory Challenges.

During the retreat, participants are immersed in off-the-record panel discussions offering a rare glimpse into the unfiltered opinions and perspectives of the industry leaders.

This is not just another conference, it's an all-encompassing experience where the boundaries between the stage and the audience blur, creating an environment where relationships flourish. Participants gain exclusive access to heads of Regulatory Agencies and Private Sector leaders over breakfast, engage in meaningful discussions during lunch, and foster connections at the evening reception.

The DeFi Retreat gatherings rethink the traditional conference setting. You will exit the confines of large conference halls and impersonal hotel rooms, and enter secluded, informal locations that offer an ambiance that encourages genuine connections to thrive.

DeFi Retreat is a TET Product. Learn more about TET here.

Alex Pelin
Founder, TET

Unique format

  • Quality over Quantity

    Only 150 Managing Directors, VPs, CxOs from: fintechs, VCs, financial organizations, legal firms and Regulators from APAC, US and Europe.
  • Real Conversations

    Off-the-record panel discussions and breakout sessions. Hear real conversations and opinions that aren't shared on a "mainstream" stage.
  • One, All-Inclusive Pass

    Access includes:
    - Welcome Reception
    - Access to all Guests
    - Access to Speakers
    - Breakfast, Lunch and Evening Drinks
    - Access to all off-the-record conversations

2024 Host

Jessica Renier

Jessica Renier is Managing Director and Head of Digital Finance at the Institute of International Finance. She leads the Institute's work on payments, digital assets and central bank digital currency, artificial intelligence, quantum computing and emerging technologies, working in close collaboration with global standard setters and policymakers. She previously served as Program Associate Director at the Office of Management and Budget in the Executive Office of the President at the White House where she oversaw a range of Federal Government agencies, including the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Commerce, and the Small Business Administration. Jessica also served as Senior Counselor for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes and Senior Advisor for Domestic Finance at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, where she led financial technology and innovation policy. Prior to joining Treasury, she worked at the Federal Reserve Banks of New York and Dallas, J.P. Morgan Securities, the Hoover Institution, and Deloitte Consulting, and holds an MBA from Stanford GSB.

2024 Speakers

DeFi Retreat 24 APAC has ended

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Financial Club members attend for free

Join 150 investors, founders, regulators and finance professionals at Happo-en!
Grounded in all aspects of Japanese culture—traditional gardens, architecture, culinary techniques, art, music, Happo-en’s garden, skillfully incorporating the basic principles of traditional garden landscaping, was carefully composed to reproduce a natural setting.

It includes several features of historic importance, such as a display of bonsai trees over 500 years old, and the “Muan” and “Kahoan” teahouses, transported and rebuilt on site, all harmoniously blending to create an oasis of beauty that brings pleasure throughout the year.
Nearby Airports
- Haneda Airport (HND): 29 min (21.2 km)
- Narita International Airport (NRT): 1 hr 5 min (77.6 km)

Transportation
We recommend using a rideshare service or Public Transportation. Parking will be extremely limited.

Attending Organizations

Participating Regions:
Japan
Singapore
Australia
Hong Kong
Vietnam
Taiwan
South Korea
Thailand
US
Europe

Government Agencies (or similar):
JFSA (Japan)
Bank of Japan
Digital Agency Japan
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Japan)
U.S. State Department
U.S. CFTC
MAS (Singapore)
Taiwan Financial Supervisory Commission
The Bank of Thailand
Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA
Embassy of Switzerland in Japan
Hong Kong Police Force

Private Sector:
Aleph Zero
Mastercard
Capitol Peak
National Australia Bank
Chainalysis
Tenity
AEM Algorithm
Fracton Ventures
Hyperithm
Qredo
Incite Consulting
BPM LLP
MezFi
Blockchain APAC
EquitiesFirst
Georgetown University
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
OM Venture Capital
Saison Capital
Ripple
Block
riskmastery.xyz
Helicap
Circle
Secured Finance
Ribbit Capital
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Eight Roads Ventures Japan
International Monetary Fund
Singapore Management University
Norton Rose Fulbright
SBI Holdings
Metaco
Quantstamp
Gibson Dunn
DCS Innov
NotCentralised
Monex Group
TOYOTA Financial Service
Taiwan FinTech Association
Forefront Advisers
iscream
THA | Hedera
SBI XDC Network APAC
Asian Development Bank
Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Metrika
Bundesbank
The Financial Club
TRM Labs
Pacific Economics
Hummingbird Regtech
Blockchain Australia
VerifyVASP
Incite Consulting
Soulbis / SingularityNET
Money Forward
Institute of International Finance
Terranet Ventures
RT&Co DigIT Inc
Binance
Vietnam Techcombank
Glassnode
Crypto Council for Innovation
1inch Foundation
Kiln
Forefront Advisers
Curvegrid
Progmat
Rimark
Aptos Foundation
FinTechSpace
Talos
DigiFT
MUFG Bank
Nomura Research Institute
OneDegree
APAC DAO
Hotspotty
Pier Two
Luxembourg for Finance
SIX Group
Osaka Digital Exchange
Bis
CertiK
Fireblocks

DeFi Retreat Agenda

March 7, 2024

Official DeFi Retreat Reception
6:00pm - 10:00pm
at Hakuho-Kan

All-Access Networking. Food and Drinks
Featuring an Exclusive "Crypto Dad" Book Signing and Fireside Chat

Hosted By

Kate Cooper
Executive, Digital Assets, National Australia Bank
J. Christopher Giancarlo
Senior Counsel, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, Former Chairman, US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

March 8, 2024

09:00am - 10:00am
Breakfast. All-Access Networking

10:00am - 10:40am
Panel Discussion: DeFi Trends

Moderator

Amanda Wick
Principal, Incite Consulting

Panelist

Antoni Zolciak
Co-Founder, Aleph Zero

Panelist

Ryosuke Ushida
Chief Fintech Officer, Financial Services Agency of Japan

Panelist

Qin En Looi
Partner at Saison Capital

10:40am - 11:20am
Panel Discussion: Regulation

Moderator

Chris Brummer
Professor and Faculty Director, Institute of International Economic Law, Georgetown University

Panelist

Carole House
Executive in Residence, Terranet Ventures, Former National Security Adviser, US White House

Panelist

Sopnendu Mohanty
Chief Fintech Officer, MAS

Panelist

Amanda Anderson
Global Head of Public Policy & Government Relations, Block

11:20am - 12:00pm
Panel Discussion: Financial Crimes

Moderator

Angela Ang
Senior Policy Advisor, TRM Labs

Panelist

Nils Andersen Röed
Deputy Head of Financial Crime Compliance, Binance

Panelist

Kristin Johnson
Commissioner, US CFTC

Panelist

Caroline Malcolm
Vice President, Global Public Policy, Chainalysis

12:00pm - 12:40pm
Panel Discussion: Money 3.0

Moderator

Jessica Renier
Managing Director & Head of Digital Finance, Institute of International Finance

Panelist

Masaki Bessho
Head of FinTech Center, Bank of Japan

Panelist

Nico Hess
Deputy Head, Fintech Desk, Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA

Panelist

Julian Sawyer
CEO, Zodia Custody

12:40pm - 2:00pm
Lunch. All-Access Networking

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Breaktout Session: Back to Basics - Crypto Hands on Experience
Access for approved regulators only

Hosted by

Sean Lee
Senior Advisor and APAC Policy Lead, Crypto Council for Innovation
Linda Jeng
Founder & CEO, Digital Self Labs, Advisor, CCI

2:00pm - 3:00pm
Breaktout Session: DeFi and TradFi Migration Scenarios

Hosted by

Masa 'Senshi' Kikuchi
Founder & CEO, Secured Finance
Kei Oda
Head of Japan and APAC, Quantstamp
Ken Kawai
Partner, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune
Chae Ho Shin
CFO at 1inch

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Breaktout Session: Money Movement 3.0
Hosted by

Rahul Advani
Policy Director, APAC, Ripple
Yam Ki Chan
VP, Strategy and Policy, Circle

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Breaktout Session: Self-custody vs KYC
Hosted by

Dea Markova
Managing Director, Forefront Advisers
Joseph Beverley
Co-Founder, Soulbis
Founder & Principal, Capitol Peak Strategies
Founder & CEO, zkMe

04:00pm - 05:00pm
Drinks. All-Access Networking